If you have questions about the children’s ministries below or other family and children’s ministries of Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, please email Bridget Wachter, Children’s Ministries Committee Chair.

Special Events

Our New Mural - A Warm and Welcoming Change

The Children and Family Ministries Committee wanted to do something to make the hallway leading to the Sunday School classrooms special and inviting. Two gifted artists in our congregation, Sally Edmondson and Becky Pearce, agreed to paint a mural on the wall outside the Choir Room. They have put hours into thoughtful planning and painting to create the mural showing a loving Jesus welcoming children in a peaceful wooded setting. Initially, the plan was for the mural to be for the children, but as Sally and Becky continue to work, it is easy to see the mural will be a much-loved addition to our building by all.

Sunday School

Nursery

Loving care is provided for our infants and toddlers during both the 9:00 a.m. hour and 10:15 a.m. worship services. Preschoolers are also welcome in the nursery during these times, but are encouraged to attend Sunday School classes and worship. The nursery is overseen by paid staff and church volunteers who have been reviewed and instructed on best practices for interacting with young children. This space is located just outside the sanctuary, and parents are welcome to check-in/check-out or stay with their children as needed.

Preschool

Our Sunday School preschool curriculum leverages best practices in early childhood education to encourage preschoolers to explore faith concepts the way they know best—through play! This class meets during the worship service after the Children’s Time in the Chapel Room.

Kindergarten through Fifth Grade

The Sunday School curriculum for our kindergarten through fifth grade students has us following the same scripture pieces that are being preached on each Sunday. We hope this inspires greater dialogue in the home about what is experienced in church each Sunday. This class meets during the worship service after the Children’s Time in Rooms 2 & 3.

Kids Can Do God’s Work

In February, we launched our extended Sunday School class, Kids Can Do God’s Work, where children enjoy lunch and participate in a variety of mission activities to serve others. Our next Kids Can event is April 27, from 10:30 am-1:00 pm. Our theme is “How Can We Take Care of God’s World?” - tying into Earth Day. Read more here. To learn more about other Earth Month activities at FVPC, click here.

Worship, Music & Service

Summer Tutoring Program

Children in Worship

We believe that if children are to come to understand the importance of a lifetime of attending worship, they must participate in worship with their family. We love the sounds and the curiosity of our youngest disciples as we praise God together. To aid parents with this practice, we have busy bags to keep busy hands occupied. Beyond that, we will provide tips for engaging in worship while also creating rituals for our youngest folks. The nursery space is always available during the 10:15 am worship service, and if you need to step out for a moment, audio is pumped out into the Upper Gathering Space.

Children’s Choir

Our children’s music and worship leadership components are now wrapped into our Sunday School program. These components are led by Bridget Wachter, our Children’s Ministry Committee Chair and Chancel Choir member. You will see children leading music (or other parts of worship) at least once each month.

Mission and Service

Also wrapped into our Sunday School program are projects which challenge children to think about their faith beyond the walls of the church and their family. We will regularly engage in projects with the wider church, or even encourage the adults in the congregation to join our children in various efforts to show God’s love in our local community and around the globe.

This is the fourth summer the Children and Family Ministries Committee is hosting a free tutoring program at FVPC. We look forward to partnering with families and schools to support the development of confident and capable learners in our community.

The summer tutoring program will meet at church on Wednesdays from June 4 to July 30. (We will not meet on July 2.) Tutors will meet with students for a 50-minute one-on-one session to review reading, writing, and math skills. Sessions will run from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

If you wish to sign up your child(ren) for this program, please call Dorene Tieche (630-818-6888).

Enrollment in our summer tutoring program has increased each year, and we anticipate the program will grow even more this summer, as will our need for volunteer tutors!

All the lesson plans and materials are provided to our volunteers. Volunteers just need to show up ready to support a learner. When volunteers sign up, they specify if mornings, afternoons, or evenings work best for them to tutor. A signup sheet is available at the Welcome Center at the front entrance, or you may email or call Dorene.

When student registration ends, Dorene will contact the tutors to set up specific times. She will also arrange for substitutes in the event a tutor has travel plans or other commitments and will miss a few sessions.

Come and be a part of this wonderful ministry!